Castello di Ama ‘Vigneto la Casuccia’ Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2018
(Tuscany, Italy) 750mL - [VM 97] [JS 95] [WA 95] [WS 95] [WE 94]
Regular price $315.00 Sale price $279.97 Save $35.03
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About the Winery:
Ama is an old, fortified village situated near Radda and Gaiole in the heart of the Chianti Classico region. The Castello or Castle of Ama is surrounded by the beautiful Tuscan countryside and sits 12 miles northeast of Siena in the hills of Gaiole. This is the heart of Chianti Classico, a bucolic rolling landscape of woods, vineyards and olive groves. The property is owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Marco Pallanti and Lorenza Sebasti. Over the last quarter century they have replanted all of the vineyards and upgraded all of the winemaking capabilities to make this one of Tuscany's showcase producers. The vineyards are divided into five important parcels; San Lorenzo, Bellavista, La Casuccia, Bertinga and Montebuoni.
About this Wine:
Beginning in 1978, certain parcels were identified as possessing outstanding soil
and microclimates due to extensive research into the terroir of the Castello di Ama vineyards. Vigneto La Casuccia, whose first vintage was 1985, was the first blend produced from the separate harvesting of three parcels of Sangiovese and Merlot.
The wine is produced in exceedingly limited quantities and only in the best vintages. Vigneto La Casuccia is an impactful wine. In many vintages, it emerges energetic, balanced, sensual and vivacious, requiring time to fully express its full potential.
Residual Sugar: <0,5 g/l
Ama is an old, fortified village situated near Radda and Gaiole in the heart of the Chianti Classico region. The Castello or Castle of Ama is surrounded by the beautiful Tuscan countryside and sits 12 miles northeast of Siena in the hills of Gaiole. This is the heart of Chianti Classico, a bucolic rolling landscape of woods, vineyards and olive groves. The property is owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Marco Pallanti and Lorenza Sebasti. Over the last quarter century they have replanted all of the vineyards and upgraded all of the winemaking capabilities to make this one of Tuscany's showcase producers. The vineyards are divided into five important parcels; San Lorenzo, Bellavista, La Casuccia, Bertinga and Montebuoni.
About this Wine:
Beginning in 1978, certain parcels were identified as possessing outstanding soil
and microclimates due to extensive research into the terroir of the Castello di Ama vineyards. Vigneto La Casuccia, whose first vintage was 1985, was the first blend produced from the separate harvesting of three parcels of Sangiovese and Merlot.
The wine is produced in exceedingly limited quantities and only in the best vintages. Vigneto La Casuccia is an impactful wine. In many vintages, it emerges energetic, balanced, sensual and vivacious, requiring time to fully express its full potential.
Technical Information:
First release 1985Grapes: 80% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot
Alcohol: 13.5%
Total Acidity: 5 g/l
Residual Sugar: <0,5 g/l
Ratings & Reviews:
97 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto La Casuccia is fabulous. A heady, opulent wine, the 2018 possesses tremendous energy to match its explosive personality. The plush fruit and soft, silky curves are pure Casuccia. The 2018 needs at least a handful of years in bottle, as it is a wine that only truly blossoms with time." - Antonio Galloni (Sep 2021)
95 Points - James Suckling:
"A very polished and refined bottle with creamy, velvety tannins that are poised and fine. Medium-bodied with a lovely center palate and a flavorful finish. A little tight at the end. Try after 2022 and onwards. (Jul 2021)
95 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"Slightly more contained next to the 2019 vintage that I tasted at the same time, the Castello di Ama 2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto la Casuccia offers ample volume and fruit weight, but it holds back slightly on the mid-palate. The 2018 vintage tends to deliver all of its brooding intensity up front, leaving you with plenty of black fruit, spice and tobacco to fuel a long finish. Ultimately, 2019 shows more depth and dimension. However, this beautiful wine should not go overlooked, especially if long cellar aging is not your objective." - Monica Larner (Feb 2023)
95 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This is packed with succulent blackberry, black cherry, plum, tar, iron and tobacco aromas and flavors, aligned with a base of burly tannins. Fresh and vigorous, with a lingering aftertaste of fruit, mineral and wild herbs. Sangiovese and Merlot. Best from 2024 through 2040. 538 cases made, 100 cases imported." - BS (Sep 2022)
94 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"All about elegance, this fragrant red opens with aromas of cedar, dark spice, coffee bean and blue flower. Linear and polished, the palate is still rather youthfully austere, featuring juicy black cherry, cassis and licorice framed in fine-grained tannins."
"The 2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto La Casuccia is fabulous. A heady, opulent wine, the 2018 possesses tremendous energy to match its explosive personality. The plush fruit and soft, silky curves are pure Casuccia. The 2018 needs at least a handful of years in bottle, as it is a wine that only truly blossoms with time." - Antonio Galloni (Sep 2021)
95 Points - James Suckling:
"A very polished and refined bottle with creamy, velvety tannins that are poised and fine. Medium-bodied with a lovely center palate and a flavorful finish. A little tight at the end. Try after 2022 and onwards. (Jul 2021)
95 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"Slightly more contained next to the 2019 vintage that I tasted at the same time, the Castello di Ama 2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto la Casuccia offers ample volume and fruit weight, but it holds back slightly on the mid-palate. The 2018 vintage tends to deliver all of its brooding intensity up front, leaving you with plenty of black fruit, spice and tobacco to fuel a long finish. Ultimately, 2019 shows more depth and dimension. However, this beautiful wine should not go overlooked, especially if long cellar aging is not your objective." - Monica Larner (Feb 2023)
95 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This is packed with succulent blackberry, black cherry, plum, tar, iron and tobacco aromas and flavors, aligned with a base of burly tannins. Fresh and vigorous, with a lingering aftertaste of fruit, mineral and wild herbs. Sangiovese and Merlot. Best from 2024 through 2040. 538 cases made, 100 cases imported." - BS (Sep 2022)
94 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"All about elegance, this fragrant red opens with aromas of cedar, dark spice, coffee bean and blue flower. Linear and polished, the palate is still rather youthfully austere, featuring juicy black cherry, cassis and licorice framed in fine-grained tannins."